T-handle for tools



Dec. 10, 1963 G. E. SWINGLE 3,113,479

T- HANDLE FOR TOOLS Filed Dec. 15. 1961 1 i George E. Swing/e 5 INVENTOR.

BY 7 MM M United States Patent 3,113,479 T-HANDLE FOR TOOLS George E. Swingle, Box 84, Honeoye, N.Y. Filed Dec. 15, 1961, Ser. N 0. 159,597 4 Claims. (Cl. 81177) This invention generally relates to new and useful improvements in handles for tools, particularly but by no means necessarily, so-called Allen wrenches comprising a substantially L-shaped rod of hexagonal cross-section the ends of which are selectively usable, the invention having for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means whereby sufficient leverage may be had to facilitate the use of the long leg of the wrench for tightening or removing screws or bolts in difficult or inaccessible places.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide a handle of the aforementioned character which will enable the user to turn a wrench or other tool more rapidly in either direction.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a T-handle of the character described comprising unique means for firmly but removably securing said handle on an Allen screw wrench, special screwdriver or other tool.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved T-handle for tools which is comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, showing a handle embodying the present invention in position on a wrench;

FIGURE 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the handle, showing same mounted on the tool;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section, showing the handle being mounted on or removed from the wrench;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 44- of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference numeral 6 designates generally a conventional Allen screw wrench. The wrench 6 is generally L-shaped, said wrench including the usual long and short legs 7 and 8, respectively.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises a horizontal tube 9 of suitable metal. Of course, the tube 9 may also be of any desired length and diameter. The tube 9, which is open at both ends, includes an internally threaded end portion 10. Ad jacent the internally threaded end portion 10 thereof, the tube 9 has formed in its lower portion a longitudinal slot 11. The slot 11 terminates substantially at the transverse center of the tube 9.

The slot 11 is for the insertion of the short leg 8 of the wrench 6 in the tube 9. When thus inserted the end portion 8 of the tool 6 projects longitudinally in the tube 9 toward the smooth or unthreaded end thereof.

3,113,479 Patented Dec. 10, 1963 A clamping or retaining screw 12 of the Allen type secures the wrench 6 in the tube 9. Toward this end, the screw 12 is threaded through the internally threaded end portion =10 of the tube 9 into abutting engagement with the bend or angle 13 of the Wrench 6. For quick action, the screw 12 comprises a reduced, smooth or unthreaded intermediate portion 14 which is freely rotatable and slidable in the end portion of the tube 9. Reference numeral 15 designates the usual hexagonal socket in the outer end of the screw 12 for the reception of an Allen wrench.

It is thought that the use of the handle will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, with the screw 12 in slidably retracted position as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, the short leg 8 of the wrench 6 is engaged in the bore of the tube 9 through the slot 11. The leg 8 of the tool 6 is then moved longitudinally in the tube 9 toward the smooth or unthreaded end thereof until arrested by engagement with the inner end wall of the slot 11. The screw 12 is then moved inwardly from the position of FIGURE 3 of the drawing and the outer end portion thereof is screwed into the end portion 10 of the tube 9. The inner end of the screw 12 engages and is tightened on the angle or bend 13 of the wrench 6 for firmly securing the tube 9 against longitudinal movement thereon in an obvious manner. The threaded inner end portion 16 of the screw 12 prevents said screw from slipping out of the tube 9'. Of course, to remove the handle the foregoing procedure is substantially reversed. Although as hereinbefore indicated the device is particularly intended for Allen wrenches it will be readily understood that the handle may also be used on angulated screwdrivers or any other tools for which it may be found adapted.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, a knurled knob or head may be substituted for the socket 15 on the outer end of the screw 12, thus obviating the necessity of a tool for turning said screw.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. 'In combination, a tool comprising -an elongated horizontal tubular handle having a longitudinal slot in its lower portion spaced from its ends, said handle including an internally threaded end portion, a wrench comprising integral, relatively long and short legs extending at right angles to each other, said short leg being insertable radially in the handle in parallelism therewith through the slot and slidable longitudinally in said handle, and a screw threadedly mounted in said threaded end portion of the handle and operatively engageable with the wrench at the juncture of the legs for clampingly securing said wrench in one end of the slot with the long leg extending from the handle at right angles thereto, said screw including threaded end portions and an unthreaded intermediate portion whereby said screw is slidably retractible to an inoperative position substantially clear of the slot for the insertion of the short leg while parallel with the handle.

3 4 2. The combination of claim 1, said screw having a References Cited in the file of this patent polygonal socket in its outer end portion for the recep- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion of a turning tool.

3. The combination of claim 2, said slot terminating ggz g i? gaitglgther end ad acent the threaded end portlon of the 5 2,592,889 Grimley Apr. 15, 1952 4. The combination of claim 3, said slot terminating 2 2 ESPY i at said one end adjacent the transverse center of the Boardman M21122" 960 handle. FOREIGN PATENTS 10 857,325 Germany Nov. 27, 1952 

1. IN COMBINATION, A TOOL COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HORIZONTAL TUBULAR HANDLE HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT IN ITS LOWER PORTION SPACED FROM ITS ENDS, SAID HANDLE INCLUDING AN INTERNALLY THREADED END PORTION, A WRENCH COMPRISING INTEGRAL, RELATIVELY LONG AND SHORT LEGS EXTENDING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO EACH OTHER, SAID SHORT LEG BEING INSERTABLE RADIALLY IN THE HANDLE IN PARALLELISM THEREWITH THROUGH THE SLOT AND SLIDABLE LONGITUDINALLY IN SAID HANDLE, AND A SCREW THREADEDLY MOUNTED IN SAID THREADED END PORTION OF THE HANDLE AND OPERATIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH THE WRENCH AT THE JUNCTURE OF THE LEGS FOR CLAMPINGLY SECURING SAID WRENCH IN ONE END OF THE SLOT WITH THE LONG LEG EXTENDING FROM THE HANDLE AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO, SAID SCREW INCLUDING THREADED END PORTIONS AND AN UNTHREADED INTERMEDIATE PORTION WHEREBY SAID SCREW IS SLIDABLY RETRACTIBLE TO AN INOPERATIVE POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY CLEAR OF THE SLOT FOR THE INSERTION OF THE SHORT LEG WHILE PARALLEL WITH THE HANDLE. 